Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a deeply immersive medieval RPG that emphasizes historical accuracy and realism over fantasy elements. Players assume the role of Henry, a vulnerable peasant navigating a brutal 15th-century Bohemia, where survival depends on mastering complex combat mechanics, managing daily needs, and engaging with a living world. The game’s story is well-written and engaging, with nuanced characters and quests that often allow multiple approaches, enhancing role-playing depth.

Visuals are praised for their detailed environments and atmospheric lighting, capturing the era's rugged beauty, though occasional bugs and technical issues persist. Combat, especially melee, is challenging and polarizing—rewarding mastery but often criticized for AI flaws and frustrating group encounters. The save system and certain gameplay mechanics (like stamina and item spoilage) add to the realism but can also feel tedious or punishing. Despite its flaws, the game is celebrated for its ambition, rich storytelling, and unique medieval simulation experience.

Highlights

Players highly praise the game's immersive realism, with authentic medieval settings and a living world full of detailed NPC behaviors. The storyline is engaging and well-crafted, offering a fresh, personal tale rooted in history rather than fantasy. The combat system, while difficult, is appreciated for its depth and rewarding mastery, especially one-on-one swordplay and archery mechanics. Graphically, the game impresses with beautiful landscapes, realistic towns, and atmospheric lighting. Additionally, the alchemy and skill systems add layers of strategic gameplay, enhancing immersion and player investment.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include a clunky and frustrating combat AI, especially during group fights where enemies relentlessly rush and overwhelm the player. The save system is often described as restrictive and punishing, causing lost progress and player frustration. Numerous bugs and glitches remain years after release, including collision issues and quest-breaking bugs. Some players find the game’s slow pacing and tedious mechanics (like hunting, item spoilage, and timed quests) off-putting. The difficulty curve is steep, making early gameplay challenging and potentially discouraging. Finally, the game’s realism sometimes leads to cumbersome features that can detract from enjoyment.